Newell Shines Again
the_patrician | 04/10/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Martin Newell might be the most famous pop star who isn't famous. Cherry Red Records, who handle Newell's British distribution, have another gem on their hands from the Wildman of Wivenhoe.Newell may be familiar to most as the Pop Poet of the Independent, but his real wayward genius lies in his songs. Crafted with skill and measured irreverence, he never takes himself too seriously. "The Beer Elves" and "A Woman And Some Whisky" showcase Newell at his Bloke-Inna-Pub best, while the more serious songs, such as "The Wicked Witch" and "Sailing to America" are in league with the best of his work with the Cleaners From Venus. Among the poppy songs (and there are many) on the album, "Beat Street" and "Life As A Broken Doll" are the two that should be runaway hit singles but never will be, Newell shunning such frippery. As a special treat, tracks 13-18 are spoken-word, with Martin excerpting from his recent memoir, "This Little Ziggy". The songs are, as always from Martin, funny, pretty, smart, and intensely emotional. A fine record with a lilt and a smile and a wink from the Bard of Colchester."
Not quite, but close
jblyn | Maryland, USA | 06/10/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Martin Newell is the increasingly rarer bird these days, the "literate" songwriter, the one who actually writes memorable rock songs that depend on more than the riffs for staying power. Mentioning him in the same breath as Ray Davies, Elvis Costello, Andy Partridge and (arguably) Robyn Hitchcock wouldn't be far gone at all. And like those more well-known artists, Newell has his soaring moments and his fallow ones, sometimes on the same album. RADIO AUTUMN ATTIC is one such, with songs that really shine ("The Duchess of Leylandia," "World Of The Stars," "Beat Street") and ones that don't quite work as well ("The Beer Elves," "Sailing To America"). He's made more consistantly great albums, especially THE GREATEST LIVING ENGLISHMAN and THE OFF-WHITE ALBUM, but even slightly-off Martin Newell material is loads better than a lot of what passes for pop songcraft these days. The bonus tracks on this album feature readings from his memoir, THIS LITTLE ZIGGY, and they are hilarious. Recommended."
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1